Alternative fuels

Types of alternative fuels

Alternative driving has been gaining a lot of attention as more and more people and companies aim to live and work in a more eco-friendly manner. Alternative fuel vehicles, or AFVs, use combinations of alternative power sources and technologies to reduce the use of propulsion involving crude oil.

Some of the alternative fuels we often find are:

Biodiesel and renewable diesel: Made from organic waste such a animal fats and vegetable oil. This is only used for blending and it’s commonly used in commercial transportation.
Natural gas: Can be found compressed (CNG) and liquified (LNG) Offers lower emissions and quieter operations compared to diesel. It is commonly used in heavy-duty transport.
Sulphur-free gas oil: Used by both inland vessels and maritime since 2011
Electricity: The dominant alternative fuel right now, it can bring long-term cost benefits for commercial fleets though there are certain limitations regarding driving range.

Alternative fuels in private and public transportation

Dependency on oil in the commercial driving sector has remained high for many years due to easy handling, existing infrastructure and costs. These are, then, the three main challenges to overcome when incorporating an alternative fuel usage vehicle. For this reason, hybrids, have been considered by some to be the most flexible alternative drive.

Many regulations have been implemented around the globe to help reduce CO2 emissions. In its latest report, the European Commission proposed reducing the EU’s greenhouse gas emission by at least 55% by 2030.

In the UK, for example, the government has encouraged the switch to low emission vehicles with incentives for users. Significant tax cuts and purchasing grants are available for buyers of both private and business vehicles. This has accelerated demand for low-emission vehicles and the building of related infrastructure.

The future of efficient fleets and alternative fuels

Did you know that today 50% of European drivers say they are considering purchasing a fully electric vehicle? And many companies are implementing electric vehicles in their fleets due to the financial, utility and ecological benefits they bring.

Here are some of the main advantages of EVs for commercial usage:

Lower running costs when compared to internal combustion engine vehicles
Financial incentives from many local authorities and governments
More vehicle data that can be used to increase fleet efficiency
Potentially easier and less expensive maintenance
Lower emissions and a more sustainable operation

If sustainability is one of your organisation’s core values, being an early adopter of commercial EVs could be a great way to re-enforce this. And a telematics provider like Webfleet can be the perfect partner to help you to get the most value when you add EVs to your fleet. Get in contact with our sales team to find out more about what we can do for you.